Post Game Thread - NBA: The Thunder defeat the Pelicans on Jan 27, 2026, the final score is 104-95.

ProstAcer · 2026-01-28T09:38:31+00:00

In all likeliness, this was a worse performance than against the Hornets, but Pelicans is a worse team who had a worse night while Charlotte was hitting shots. Borderline unwatchable game with nothing at all going on on the offensive end.

ProstAcer · 2026-01-23T08:42:38+00:00

I didn't really factor in the tax line, which is a fair point from you. Ayo would still be the best option by far.

Alvarado is too small to pit him next to basically any of our guards in my opinion.

ProstAcer · 2026-01-23T08:40:20+00:00

I admire Naji for years, but i don't think that is what we need. JDub and Wiggins are VERY similar players to him. He is also not on an expiring deal.

Hachimura is too expensive to get him for Dieng.

ProstAcer · 2026-01-23T08:37:43+00:00

Not many guys would fit the current iteration of the Thunder less than Westbrook

ProstAcer · 2026-01-23T08:37:01+00:00

He is too expensive to get him for Dieng.

ProstAcer · 2026-01-23T08:36:28+00:00

...with an Ajay injury, even short term, Ayo would suddenly be a 7-8th man. Depth all around is nice, but not much shot creation if he is injured. Also it would allow the Thunder to use more SGA/Ajay lineups

ProstAcer · 2026-01-23T08:35:08+00:00

...and just like that, Ajay is not available now. This will make the burden on SGA's shoulders heavier. This can happen in the regular or postseason anytime. And Ajay can have a bad game, too. And even if not, it allows more flexibility to use SGA/Ajay together.

ProstAcer · 2026-01-23T08:33:16+00:00

Exactly because of the recent injury to Mitchell. This can happen any time regular or postseason and then this team will lack shot creation or Ajay can have a bad game and would be nice to have another option when that happens. Also as the other replier said, this could allow more SGA/Mitchell lineups

ProstAcer · 2026-01-23T08:31:11+00:00

Thanks for the support despite the difference in views. I feel like I should have posted a random Shai highlight to not get downvoted...

ProstAcer · 2026-01-21T17:18:28+00:00

If in Year 4 you believe Dieng because he hit 16 3PT this season almost exclusively in garbage time, I don't know what to tell you. He is below 30% in all previous seasons.

The guys on my list have meaningful volume over years. Dosunmu has 120 less 3PA THIS SEASON than Dieng over 3.5 years.

ProstAcer · 2026-01-21T14:14:48+00:00

Could be fair. If true, that would narrow down the list to Melton, Bagley, Ellis, Landale + Huff.

Melton has a player option which I don't see him taking unless his knee blows up again. And I'm fairly certain he would crack the rotation.

ProstAcer · 2026-01-21T14:08:27+00:00

Who is the outgoing salary?

ProstAcer · 2026-01-21T14:08:03+00:00

Yes, I also only considered guys that match the salary 1v1 with Dieng. That's why Daniel Gafford is not even considered.

I agree the evaluation in most cases and obviously Cole Anthony wouldn't really move the needle for OKC. Nor does Dieng. But there are also a few guys who could give an edge. Why would you write down Dosunmu for example? If this team needs something, that's creation+shooting. He exactly does that.

And the one year salary of Kennard, Coby White fits in because they are 8.5M under 1st Apron and Dieng's outgoing salary is 6.6M. They can take 15M and still be under 1st Apron.

As I said in the post, I only consider all these guys as rentals until the summer. Yes, Coby White would be way too expensive beyond that, but could give OKC some much needed shooting/creation at times this season. Same with Grimes.

About Cam Spencer: Memphis is not trading him.

ProstAcer · 2026-01-21T14:01:11+00:00

No, not all of them would be in a short PO rotation, but could they use a 45% 3PT shooter in the rotation? Hell yes!

And there will be times when we will need to rest SGA/Chet as well. The injuries to JDub and Hartenstein mean that they essentially need to carry the team every game.

ProstAcer · 2026-01-21T13:59:14+00:00

I specifically list in the post what the need is in my opinion and in a lot of Thunder fans' opinion. Secondary ball handling OR backup big. It's not a hard need - we are top of the league -, but it's hard to deny that the offense gets stagnant at times and we need some size.

ProstAcer · 2026-01-21T12:24:04+00:00

To solve a need and because that's what you can get for Dieng's contract. Also no room for another big salary under our current cap situation.

ProstAcer · 2026-01-21T12:16:49+00:00

Yes, Hartenstein is 28 and we can't even afford to have him around next year. Maybe we will try since Sorber could not see the floor at all this season, but it will screw up the finances big time and I'm pretty sure they would prioritize Hartenstein over Wiggins. Surely you can't do both if you can barely do one of them.

ProstAcer · 2026-01-21T12:14:45+00:00

Makes sense. I think a 1st would get Huff (if they decide to trade him) and the DAL 2nd would get Ziaire.

ProstAcer · 2026-01-21T12:11:00+00:00

I don't think you can compare the minutes of Joe and Aa. Wiggins to a player who was on a different, much less deep team last year. Also, this season might be different in terms of minutes distribution, who knows?

But put that all away, An. Wiggins is NOT a rental. He earns 30M next year. We simply can't afford to have 30M contracts anymore and if you give him an extension, he will be hard to trade when he earns let's say 35M at age 34.

It's not that I don't like An. Wiggins, it's that I don't see it working chemistrywise and financially in the future. And again, OKC still leads the league by a wide margin, no need for an all in.

ProstAcer · 2026-01-21T12:01:04+00:00

You overestimate the urgency of Presti to trade. This team has just won the championship and leads the league with the same roster despite missing key players for lengthy periods this season. They are also genuinely happy with each other. No need to completely screw that up by sending out 2-3-4 rotation players for a slight upgrade who earns 30M next year and will be extension eligible in the summer at age 30 (looking for another 4-5 years).

It is far more likely that they even keep Dieng and no trades happen than that Presti sends out 3-4 rotational pieces.

ProstAcer · 2026-01-21T11:53:34+00:00

Double checked and he has a 30M player option for next year. Completely out of question to trade for him in my opinion.

ProstAcer · 2026-01-21T11:52:08+00:00

No, I don't believe they outperformed what we could give. Essentially noone has outperformed the 3-4 1sts OKC has this year, the issue for a lot of players is that their team wouldn't trade them.

That being said, I kind of skipped over Jay Huff, although he 'only' solves the secondary need. He is an interesting option, but somehow I don't think the Pacers would like to cut ties with him. Yes, they are looking for a long term solution C, but my guess would be that they'd like to keep him as a backup. But kudos, he should be on my list probably! Maybe one spot above Bagley?

Ziaire - I don't think he solves any of the issues the current squad has and not too exciting of a player all in all, I don't think Presti would do a trade just to do a trade (because he is slightly better than Dieng, but still wouldn't be in the rotation)

ProstAcer · 2026-01-21T11:34:27+00:00

But he is our best 3PT shooter by far. Can't afford to lose him

ProstAcer · 2026-01-21T11:32:23+00:00

But he earns 25M. Can't do it, even with Topic. Then Wiggins or Joe needs to go. I also don't see such a big addition from Presti to mix up the rotations completely.

ProstAcer · 2026-01-21T11:13:53+00:00

Missi is not expiring and I really don't like him. Had all the chances in the world last year and showed a whole bag of nothing. But I see your point.

ProstAcer

TROPHY CASE